SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration Tool

This article, discusses about the SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration Tool.

An important security improvement in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 is that various of its features that could be potentially susceptible to security risks are turned off by default.

One of these features is that the built-in administrator of the machine on which SQL Server 2005 is installed, it is not automatically included in the SQL Server Administrators (SysAdmin role).

In the case you want to change this setting, you have to use the SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration tool.

Where Can I Find the Tool in SQL Server 2005?

This tool can be found within the “Microsoft SQL Server 2005” program group (Configuration Tools –> SQL Server Surface Area Configuration) in Start Menu –> Programs.

When running the tool, you have to select “Add New Administrator“. Then you will be presented the available SQL Server privileges which you can grant to your Windows user. Such privileges can be SQL Server SysAdmin role, Analysis Services Administrator role, etc.

Additionally you can use the Surface Area Configuration Tool for SQL Server Services, Connections and Features.

In SQL Server 2008 the Surface Area Configuration tool has been removed. The features of the tool have been replaced and enhanced by the powerful Policy-Based Management features.

A future post will explain in detail the Policy-Based Management Framework in SQL Server 2008.

For more information on using Policy-Based Management in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 you can visit the following Microsoft TechNet article.